Vols. for 1994-1995 distributed to depository libraries in microfiche.

General Note:

Special "80th anniversary supplement" issue published on Aug. 12, 1994.

General Note:

Special ed. for 65th anniversary of the Panama Canal issued at end of Oct. 1979, is also a joint issue with: The News: authorized unofficial publication of the U.S. Armed Forces, Quarry Heights, Panama, and includes the text of the Panama Canal Act.

Thirty sets of identical twins transited the
Panama Canal last month aboard a luxurious
new super liner the Dawn Princess. The
twins were winners of a contest organized by
Princess Cruises to celebrate the launching of
the Dawn Princess, the twin ship to the re-
cently introduced Sun Princess, which made
its inaugural Canal transit in April 1996.
The Dawn Princess docked at the Port of
Balboa, where representatives from the
Panama Canal Commission and Paul
Rickmers of the Hutchison consortium, the
company that will be operating Panama's
Balboa and Cristobal ports, joined Commo-
dore Stan Jamison, the master of the vessel,
for a ceremony to commemorate its inaugu-
ral Canal transit. Passengers had the oppor-
tunity to get off the ship for some Panama
shopping at stands along the dock.
On behalf of Commission Administrator
Alberto Alemdn Zubieta, Deputy General
Services Director Charles Morris presented
the traditional inaugural transit plaque to
Jamison, who has been through the Canal on
at least 50 other occasions. The vessel's
tonnage certificate was presented by acting
Deputy Marine Director Capt. M.M. Fan-
ning. Associate Public Affairs Director Janet
Len-Rios presented the vessel with a framed
photograph of Miraflores Locks, Canal vid-
eos and an information package, while other
Public Affairs employees distributed Canal
souvenirs to the twins aboard the ship.
The contest to select the twins was an-
nounced in October. Contestants were asked
to submit essays explaining why they con-
sidered themselves "extraordinary," refer-
ring to special accomplishments such as
community service, career achievement,
life challenges or unique talents. Fifty sets
of winning twins were selected from all
over the United States and Canada to par-

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's new
ship, Rhapsody ofthe Seas, made Panama
Canal history on May 23. During its
maiden transit of the waterway, the cruise
liner broke the tolls record with a fee of
$153,662.66. The previous record was
established in 1993 by another cruise
ship, the Crown Princess.
Panama Tourist Bureau General
Manager CUsar Tribaldos; Joe Josehps,
vice president of C. Fernie & Co., the
agent for the Rhapsody of the Seas at the

ticipate in the inaugural festivities for the
Dawn Princess.
The vessel was christened May 8 by six
original cast members from "The Love
Boat," the popular television series set
aboard several Princess Cruises ships.
Gavin MacLeod (Capt. Stubing), Lauren
Tewes (Julie), Bernie Kopell (Doc), Fred
Grandy (Gopher), Jill Whelan (Vicki) and
Ted Lange (Isaac) were reunited for the
first time in more than a decade.
In addition to receiving round-trip flights
to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the christen-
ing, winners were offered the option of
either sailing on the inaugural cruise
through the Canal or taking a seven-day
Caribbean or Alaskan cruise at a later day.
More than half opted for the 11-day trans-
Canal cruise between Fort Lauderdale and
Acapulco, Mexico, from where they flew
back home.
Contest winners represent a wide range
of ages and lifestyles, but they were all very
friendly and willing to cooperate by posing
for pictures and being interviewed. Joseph
and Boris Fisch of Hallandale, Fla., are
survivors of a World War II Nazi concen-
tration camp. They were liberated in 1945
by U.S. troops and went to the United
States in 1949. Trained as cantors, the
twins quickly became known for their beau-
tiful voices and have performed for groups
throughout the country.
Arlene Wolf ofHemet, Calif., and Ardelle
Dame of Cypress, Texas, were known as the
"Terry Twins" many years ago, when they
used to appear on television commercials
and shows.
Annie and Amy Smith of Cheyenne,
Wyo., are country and western songwriters
and singers who travel a lot and were nomi-
nated by friends around the country. They

Twins galore
The 30 sets of twins who were aboard the "Dawn Princess" for its maiden Panama Canal t
the ship's arrival at the Port of Balboa.

Inaugural transit
The stately architecture of the "Dawn Princess" complements the natural beauty of the
Panama Canal as the vessel makes its inaugural transit through the waterway.

developed a children's program called "Spirit
of the West," which they take to schools and
civic centers around the United States to
teach children about country music's west-
ern heritage. They came to Panama about 10
years ago to sing at the U.S. Rodman Naval
Station, but had never been through the
Canal.
Mary Milton and Marcy Bell of Rock
Island, Ill., are very involved in community
service, church organizations and retirement
communities and serve as co-chairs for three
soupkitchens. Mary, who owns atravel agency,
and Marcy, a social worker, were also making
their first trip through the Canal, having found
out about the contest through a magazine.
Saying that the transit
was a wonderful and ex-
citing experience, they
added, "We watched
throughout all three sets
of locks. We stayed out
there watching the whole
day. It was spectacular,
peaceful and beautiful!"
At 856 feet in length,
theDawn Princess is one
of the largest passenger
vessels afloat, but carries
only 1,950 guests, far
fewer than cruise ships
of similar size. The
vessel's unique design
combines the advantage
of its large size with in-
timately designed pub-
lic rooms to offer pas-
sengers the luxury of
space as well as unpar-
alleled choices in din-
ing, entertainment, rec-
reation and accommo-
dations.
ransit pose during TheDawn Princess
features two state-of-

"The running twins"
Cheryl Clough DallingerandSheron Clough
Chrysler of British Columbia, Canada, pose
with their Panama Canal handbags at the
ship's circular staircase. The twins earned
the moniker of "the running twins" in the
early 1970s. They coach local women's
running clinics that raise money for bat-
tered and abused women.

the-art showrooms, a computerized golf cen-
ter and centers for children and teens. It also
provides private balconies in nearly half the
cabins, and 19 cabins accommodate dis-
abled passengers. A spectacular four-story
atrium features a circular marble foyer and
staircase, two glass elevators and a stained-
glass dome. Other attractions include a pool
that is suspended between two decks.
The Dawn Princess is the second ship
introduced under the $1.3 billion Grand Class
expansion at Princess Cruises, following the
launching'of the Sun Princess in 1995. Two
other ships will be introduced under the
program, the Grand Princess, in May 1998,
and the Sea Princess, a triplet to the Sun
Princess and Dawn Princess, in early 1999.
Norton Lilly represents Princess Cruises
vessels at the Canal.

Stories by Myrna A. Iglesias

Photos by Jaime Yau
and
Armando De Gracia

of the book "Panama Now."
Measuring 915 feet in length and
105.6 feet in beam, the Rhapsody of the
Seas has a capacity for 2,400 passen-
gers. Its features include swimming
pools, casinos, exercise rooms and other
comforts commonly found on cruise
ships.
The vessel was en route to Caldera,
Costa Rica, and Acapulco, Mexico, from
where it will begin a series of summer
cruises to Alaska.

Paee 2

"Rhapsody of the Seas" establishes new tolls record

Friday. June 6. 1997

The Panama Canal Spillway

Inauguration of remodeled center

In the photo at far right, Traffic Manage-
ment Division Chief Sam H. Mann, center,
and former Marine Director Capt. George
T. Hull cut the ribbon to inaugurate the
remodeled Panama Canal Commission
Marine Traffic Control Center as acting
Marine Director Carlos A. Alvarado looks
on. At right, employees work at the center's
new modular consoles, which feature spe-
cial lighting, ventilation, on-screen commu-
nication systems and an ergonomic design
for increased comfort. A big display of -
traffic schedules and a closed-circuit televi-
sion view ofPedro Miguel Locks can be seen
on the wall in front of the controllers.

Photos by Jaime Yau

Freeze under study

Plans for a freeze on.personnel
actions within the Panama Canal
Commission have been sent for
review and comment to the exclu-
sive representatives of recognized
bargaining units. Scheduled to be
in place from June 15 through Oc-
tober 31, the freeze is necessary to
support implementation of the
major reorganization of the Com-
mission that is scheduled to take
effect October 1.
The plan calls for the suspen-
sion of all permanent and tempo-
rary appointments, promotions and
reassignments during the freeze.
Exceptions may be made for tem-
porary hires to accommodate emer-
gency situations, unexpected pri-
ority projects or work that cannot
be realistically postponed. Like-
wise, exceptions for permanent
hires in key, hard-to-fill positions
may be approved by the Personnel
Director on a case-by-case basis.
The freeze will not affect con-
versions from career conditional to
career status, within-grade in-
creases, promotions in develop-
mental positions, extensions of tem-
porary employees, details, the hir-
ing of student assistants or perma-
nent hiring in special training pro-
grams. Temporary promotions in
effect before June 15 may be con-
tinued, but will not be extended if
they terminate during the freeze.

Strut arm installation

At far left, Roberto Sepalveda,
Dimas Rodriguez (below) and
Jaime Espino provide assistance
as Locks Division mechanical su-
pervisorMichael T. Norman, right,
checks the height of a support for
one ofthe new hydraulic strut arms
that were recently installed for two
Miraflores Locks miter gates.
Looking on areAlonsoAcosta, Jos6
Pinillo and Marino Vergara. The
strut arms are being tested, with
final adjustments to be made after
the rehanging of the miter gates
following scheduled dry-chamber
work in August.

Photo by Jaime Yau

Madden Dam drum gate overhaul to be completed this month

By Yira A. Flores
The four 360-ton drum gates at
Madden Dam are being overhauled
at a cost of several hundred thou-
sand dollars, with some of the com-
ponents being refurbished for the
first time in their 64-year history.
The buoy-like steel structures, each
100 feet long by 22 feet high, are
hinged to the concrete on top of the
dam and are raised or lowered de-

pending on the amount of lake water
to be contained.
Facility Manager Karamjit
Singh reports that overhauls are
scheduled at the dam during the
dry season, with tasks conducted
in order of priority. The heavy
rains through most of last year's
dry season, however, prevented
workers from conducting the sched-
uled 1996 overhaul. This year,
rainfall patterns were normal, al-
lowing Madden Dam personnel to
lower the level of the lake through
hydroelectric generation down to
212 feet to ensure that all work
scheduled could be accomplished.
Project coordinator Angel
Ciceres notes that personnel from

the Industrial and Engineering di-
visions and from the Electrical
Division's Power Branch are in-
specting the drum gates for cracks,
changing the upstream and down-
stream lateral seals, replacing all
hinge collars, rehabilitating the 188
hinges, replacing gate rubbers and
seals and making sure that all an-
chor bolts are torqued. Hinge
guards are being replaced and in-
ternal work is being done to pre-
vent corrosion inside the gates.
The intake and discharge pip-
ing system is also being rehabili-
tated for the first time. All valves
are being rehabilitated or replaced.
Another task being conducted
is the inspection of the upstream

side of the dam by Industrial Divi-
sion divers with underwater cam-
eras. The inspection covers the six
sluice gate intakes as well as the
entire concrete structure of the dam.
In order to keep water out while
the intake and discharge valves are
being rehabilitated, the Industrial
Division fabricated an aluminum
plug that was installed by divers on
the dam's upstream wall intake
valve. 'The fabrication and instal-
lation of the plug was critical be-
cause we needed it to seal the valve
completely. No leaks could be
allowed," says Singh.
The work began at the end of
April and is scheduled for comple-
tion by the end of this month.

By Susan Harp
Imagine standing under a 75-
foot-high waterfall, with more than
200,000 cubic feet of water pound-
ing on you every second. That's
exactly what happens to the con-
crete dissipators on the downstream
side of Gatun Dam when all the
spillway gates are open and the lake
is at its maximum level. The
dissipators, also called baffle piers,
absorb the water's energy in order
to disperse its destructive force and
are currently being repaired as part
of routine maintenance.
Facility Manager Karamjit
Singh explains that Power Branch
and Engineering Division person-

nel inspect thedissipators every year.
Any necessary repair work is sched-
uled at the end of the dry season,
when low lake levels allow the spill-
way gates to remain closed and the
area to remain dry.
A team of 12 Maintenance Di-
vision cement finishers, workers
and laborers is doing the work,
which includes repairing the cube-
shaped dissipators, their protective
metal covering and the concrete
flooring surrounding them. They
reach the dissipators by walking
down some 40 feet of scaffold stairs
on the side of the spillway.
Construction and Maintenance
Supervisor Basil M. Wilkinson

explains that special additives are
used to make the new concrete
adhere to the old structures, and a
special bonding agent is used to
patch holes in the metal cover.
Before repairing the flooring in
areas covered with standing water,
the workers must first build a re-
taining wall around the area and
then pump the water out of it.
Explaining the importance of
maintaining the dissipators, Singh
says, "Without them, we would
lose the cushion that controls the
water's energy, which could dam-
age the downstream bridge, sta-
tion, retaining wall and river
banks."

Page 3

The Panama Canal Soillway

Friday, June 6, 1997

Security guards play vital role in ensuring safety, efficiency of operations

By Adrianne Holmes
Responsible for providing se-
curity in the 59.2 square miles of
land and 107 square miles of water
that make up the Panama Canal
operating area, the Canal Protec-
tion Division plays a vital role in
the safe and efficient operation of
the Canal.
According to Chief Rodman F.
Brayton, "The backbone of the op-
eration is the patrol force; it takes'a
guard to have security." There are
currently 353 security guards who
protect people and patrol and moni-
tor the expansive area covered, which
includes the waterway and lake;
buildings and industrial compounds;
and remote installations, such as
transmission lines, microwave tow-
ers and electrical substations.
Other Panama Canal Commis-
sion employees may not realize the
full extent of the various challenges
that security guards face. For ex-
ample, guards who patrol Gaillard
Cut must protect equipment and
accompany the trucks that trans-
port explosives to the area. In
addition, the guards keep a close
watch over all Canal area power
lines and over the navigational aids
along the banks of the Canal.
Joint patrols with the Panama
police force in four-wheel drive
vehicles, sedans or boats are
also an important part of the every-

day work for the security force.
Another important task is the pro-
tection of dignitaries who visit the
Canal, among them the President
of the United States. "It takes about
two years for a guard to experience
all aspects of patrolling," Brayton
says, "but usually, due to their par-
ticularcharacteristics, they will find
a certain niche and enjoy that pa-
trol area more than another."
Although the Canal Protection
Division is geared primarily toward

industrial security, it has taken on
additional responsibilities as the
need arose. During the political and
economic crisis in Panama prior to
Operation Just Cause, security
guards had to transport large
amounts of cash on paydays so that
all Commission employees could
be paid. And, with practically no
functioning law enforcement activ-
ity after the invasion of Panama, the
security force provided protection
in the Canal operating area and

helped keep the Canal operating.
"These difficult times helped
prove to the entire Commission
work force that the Canal security
guards have a high sense of loyalty
and are admirable workers," says
Canal Protection Division Pacific
Branch Chief Jorge A. Escala.
According to Escala, the need
for effective security is ever in-
creasing. As the Canal and its
officials take on a higher profile,
the guards have to work harder to
provide protection. Brayton says
that the security force welcomes
this added challenge, which keeps
life interesting.
Canal security guards must
complete extensive safety, cardiop-
ulmonary resuscitation, defensive
driving, computer and language
training. In addition, there are sev-
eral personal traits that one must
possess to be a dependable guard,
including the ability to stay alert
and aware of the surroundings.
"Guards develop a sixth sense of

Performance -awards
At left, employees from the Canal
Protection Division's Pacific
Branch pose with the awards they
receivedfor outstanding and supe-
rior performance during 1996.
Photo by Armando De Gracia

their surroundings," Brayton says.
Those who provide security at
public buildings must also be effi-
cient, knowledgeable about work
operations and personnel assigned
to the installation, courteous and
good at dealing with the public.
"The guard is the first person a
visitor to the building or facility
meets, as well as the last," says
lead security guard Melvin Brown,
who notes that the guards must
apply their skills to provide a high
level of security while remaining
courteous to ease the apprehension
that people may feel upon seeing
an armed guard.
The security force is currently
made up of highly qualified and
well-trained professionals from
diverse backgrounds. "Many of
the Canal Protection security
guards are lawyers, accountants,
business administrators or engi-
neers," Brown states. Providing
additional expertise are former
policemen and military veterans
with extensive experience in the
field of security.
Supporting the competent and
efficient security force is a com-
plex electronic surveillance sys-
tem that covers almost the entire
Canal operating area. Strategically
installed cameras, intrusion-detec-
tion devices and access-control
systems transmit information to a
central location, where it can be
closely monitored by a security
specialist. "This high-tech hard-
ware helps to extend the vision of
the guard," Brayton says.
Through the combination of
advanced technology and a well-
prepared work force, the Canal
Protection Division has an ex-
panding vision for the future. Ac-
cording to Brayton, the division
is thinking beyond the year 2000
to be ready to face any number of
future challenges. Both Brayton
and Escala are adamant when they
say, "December 31, 1999, is just
another day for Canal Protection.
There will be no significant
change in the duties of the Canal
security guards, as they will con-
tinue protecting the people and
equipment involvedin this world-
class operation."

Pacific Branch fires way into first at Canal Protection Division shoot

The Canal Protection Division
celebrated its annual pistol match
and family day at Caimito range
last month. Although the Atlantic
Branch produced three of the top
four shooters, including the "Top
Gun," and earned a total of 7,871
points, the Pacific Branch came
out almost 100 points ahead, with
7,965, and took the overall victory.
Hosted this year by the Pacific

Branch, the event alternates be-
tween the two sides of the Isthmus.
Atlantic Branch lead security guard
Basilio Seferlis emerged as this
year's "Top Gun," with a score of
418 out of a possible total of 420
points. Pacific Branch lead secu-
rity guard Jos6 Cespedes and At-
lantic Branch security guard Jesis
Renterfa tied for second, each fin-
ishing with 416 points. Atlantic
Branch lead security guard Amulfo
South, who had reigned as "Top
Gun" for the past four years, fin-
ished fourth, with a score of 414.

Seferlis also earned the top slot
in the "Master" category, with
Renteria taking top honors in the
"Sharpshooter" competition. Pa-
cific Branch security guards Rafael
McCatty and Michelangelo Gibbs
took the number one spots in the
"Expert" and "Marksman" catego-
ries, with 409 and 408 points, re-
spectively.
Atlantic Branch Chief A.T.
Malcolm says, 'The competition
gives theemployees a chance to show
their skill with weapons in a com-
petitive and friendly atmosphere."
Acting Pacific Branch Chief
Herman Wilkinson adds, "The an-
nual shoot and family day brings
the members of both branches and
their families together. Along with
the shoot, they hash over old times,
renew friendships, meet new per-
sonnel, play games and have a good
time."

Three Panama Canal Commission em-
ployees, all Apprentice School graduates,
shared their expertise during a technical con-
ference organized by the Panama Techno-
logical University's Mechanical Engineer-
ing School.
Under the theme "Maintenance: The
Key to the Future in the Industry," the con-
ference was held May 26 through 29 at the
university's regional center in Colon.
Instrument mechanic Alejandro Palma
and automotive mechanic Fernando Valle
made ajoint presentation on the use of a new
automotive air-conditioning system and its
benefits in protecting the ozone layer. Palma
and Valle are both graduates of the Panama
Technological University and are currently
employed at the Northern District Motor
Transportation Division.
Another guest speaker for the conference

technical conference

was Construction Division inspector Roberto
Lake, who discussed industrial coatings and
confined-space safety. Certified by the Com-
mission as a confined-space inspector, Lake
has also received specialized training from
the Steel Structure Painting Council in North
Carolina. He is currently monitoring the
progress of the locks miter gate rehabilita-
tion program that is being performed under
contract at the Industrial Division.
Highlighting the important role that main-
tenance has played in the field of industrial
equipment and structural preservation, the
conference sought to familiarize students
with advances in industrial safety, environ-
mental protection and quality production.
Given the Commission's leadership in ap-
plying new technology in these areas, it
stands to reason that half the conference
speakers would come from its ranks.

Cientec 97 presentation Photo by Armando De Gracia
Hydrologist Carlos A. Vargas discusses the Panama Canal Commission's implementation
of a new riverforecasting system with Panama students during his May 30 presentation at
Cientec 97, an international science and technology exposition that was held from May 29
through June 1 at the Atlapa Convention Center. The Commission Public Affairs Office
supported the event with an exhibit.

New work outfits create "uniform" look for towboat seamen, boatswains

New uniforms Photo by Alfredo Ryan
Posing at Gatun Landing in their new uniforms are towboat boatswain Carlos Acosta,
seamen Alejandro Machado and Eliecer Acosta and boatswain Felipe Campbell.

By Susan K. Stabler

PanamaCanal Commission towboat sea-
men and boatswains have always had to
work as a team, handling the heavy lines
that connect Commission tugs to the ves-
sels they assist through the Panama Canal.
Now they also look like a team, wearing
brand new uniforms that were issued the
end of April. Approximately 210 Towboat
Branch employees each received three sets
of the khaki shirts and blue-jeans that make
up the uniform.
SAccording to acting Towboat Manager
Max Newman, the new uniforms reflect the
importance of the work these employees
perform. "The employees are really enthu-
siastic about the uniforms, which have im-
proved morale," he says. "The employees
see the uniforms as the agency's way of
saying it cares about the image they present
to customers."
The idea of wearing uniforms grew from

within the ranks of deck employees, with
union representatives and others proposing
the idea to management approximately a
year ago. The idea was accepted by manage-
ment following several months of discus-
sions and meetings. The uniforms were
purchased locally at a cost of approximately
$13,000 for the entire towboat fleet.
The letters "PCC" stand out above the
left pocket of the shirts, which also carry the
words "Tug Seaman" or "Tug Boatswain"
across the back. Helmets, which are stan-
dard issue and required for safety, round out
the professional look, with seamen wearing
white ones and boatswains orange ones. All
deck employees are also issued safety shoes
and gloves.
Expressing the opinion of the majority of
his co-workers, towboat Morrow boatswain
Eduardo Collins says, "Using a uniform has
been a good idea. It makes the employees
look neat and feel comfortable we look
uniform!"

Honest employee returns overpayment on

cashed check to Balboa Treasurer's Office

By Teresa Arosemena
On Wednesday, May 7, Roy Paddy, a
scheduler with the Traffic Management Di-
vision, went to the Treasurer's Office in
Balboa to cash a check for $340. Having
developed the habit of not counting the money
when he cashed a check, he put the cash
directly in his pocket and did not think about
it anymore until he got home. When he
began giving his children money for school,
however, he realized that he had received
much more than the amount of the check.
"It never occurred to me not to return the
money. You do whatever your conscience
tells you to do, and returning it was the only
thing that went through my mind," says
Paddy, who adds that he was taught to re-
spect traditional values. "Even though no-
body knew, I did know. I would have criti-
cized myself for keeping it."
Aware that the cashier would have to

ALBERTO ALEMAN ZUBIETA
Administrator, Panama Canal Commission

FRANKLIN D. CASTRELLON
Associate Director

make up the difference, Paddy planned his
schedule to return the money as soon as
possible. He went to work for his 10 p.m. to
6 a.m. shift and then went running, heading
right afterward to the Treasurer's Office,
which had opened for business by that time.
When Paddy asked the cashier if any money
was not accounted for, he was told that a
frantic search had been made the day before
for more than $500. Paddy then returned the
missing amount.
Paddy has been working for the Panama
Canal Commission for almost 11 years, ten
of them at the Marine Traffic Control Cen-
ter. Assistant Traffic Management Division
Chief Eric N. Espino praises his conduct,
saying it is typical of that shown by other
division employees. "We have to follow a
straight line and not permit deviations,"
Espino states. "Our office is characterized
by honesty."

JENNIFER JONES
Editor
The Panama Canal Spillway is an official biweekly publication of the Panama Canal Commission. Articles may be reprinted without further
permission by crediting the source. All material should be submitted by 11:45 a.m. Thursday of the week before publication or by 11:45 a.m.
Wednesday if there is a.holiday during the week of publication. Subscriptions for 52 issues are 56 by regular mail, $4 by regular mail for
students and $19 by airmail. Checks or money orders should be payable to the Panama Canal Commission. Call 272-3202 for further
information or write the Office of Public Affairs, Panama Canal Commission, Unit 2300, APO AA 34011-2300 or Balboa Heights, Panama.

Page 5

Counting it out

After being overpaid by
more than $500 recently
at the Treasurer's Office,
marine traffic scheduler
Roy Paddy is now count-
ing his cash carefully.

Photo by Kevin Jenkins

Managers appointed to coordinate reorganization

In response to the approval by the Board of Directors of a reorganization within
the Panama Canal Commission, Administrator Alberto Aleman Zubieta has
designated responsibility for coordinating implementation of the reorganization
to the senior managers listed below. The managers will each be responsible for
reviewing a different bureau-level office under the new organizational structure,
as indicated.
Ricaurte Vasquez M. Financial Management
George A. Mercier Human Resources
Jacinto Wong Information Management
James E. Ferrara Administration
Ren6 Van Hoorde Operations
Richard A. Wainio Business Planning & Market Development
Charles Morris Safety, Environment & Security
Thomas W. Drohan Engineering
John L. Haines Jr. General Counsel

I

The Panama Canal Spillway

Friday, June 6, 1997

Administrator thanks workers

for efforts to eliminate backlog

Thanks to the concerted efforts of Panama Canal Com-
mission employees, normal traffic conditions were restored
at the Panama Canal early last week. After reaching a high
of 102 at midnight May 5, the number of vessels awaiting
transit had been reduced to 19 by midnight May 26. Under
normal conditions, the number of vessels awaiting transit is
about 22 or 23.
The backlog resulted from a scheduled outage for main-
tenance in the east lane of Pedro Miguel and Miraflores
locks on April 21 and 22 and from operations to recover the
San Pablo II, a contact tug that sank April 21 at the
southeast approach to Miraflores. Commission employees
had successfully removed the tug by the early morning hours
of April 28, restoring full transit capacity.
Commission Administrator Alberto Aleman Zubieta met
with senior managers at the Training Center on May 9 to
discuss the serious backlog problem. He also sent a memo-
randum on the subject to all employees on May 13, asking
everyone to pull together and do everything possible to
restore normal traffic conditions by the end of the month.
On May 29, Alemdn Zubieta sent a subsequent memo-
randum to employees, praising them for accomplishing the
goal almost a week ahead of time. "For your superlative
hard work and commitment, you have my personal thanks
and heartfelt congratulations," he said, adding that the
results were in keeping with the tradition of excellence that
has always characterized Canal operations.

Tug salvage awards

Receiving awards for their
efforts to recover the sunken
contract tug, "SanPabloII,"
are employees from the
Dredging Division, at top;
Engineering, Maintenance
and Construction divisions,
above; and Motor Transpor-
tation Division, Marine Bu-
reau and Engineering and
Construction Bureau units,
at right.

Photos by Jaime Yau and
Annando De Gracia

June 20 deadline for summer recreation program registration

The Employee Fitness Branch will offer a variety of
activities to Panama Canal Commission dependents during
the U.S. school vacation program. Registration for the
summer recreation program, which runs from June 24 through
August 15, will be open through June 20. The registration
and parental permission forms should be obtained from the
branch. A summary of some of the activities at specific
centers is provided below; check with the centers and the
pools for more complete information.
Diablo Fitness Center
Gymnastics classes will be offered at Diablo Fitness
Center to students of different ages and skill levels. Begin-
ning sessions for 6- to 12-year-olds will meet from 10 to 11
a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with those
who have never taken classes meeting on different days than
those who have had instruction. The intermediate class for
6- to 18-year-olds will meet from 11 to 11:50 a.m. Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, with the advanced class at the same
time Tuesday and Thursday. On the first day of class, the
instructor will determine whether students are enrolled at the
appropriate skill level.
The center will also offer kickball, table games and
similar activities from 8 to 9 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.; programs
for ages 7 to 12 in archery from 9 to 10 a.m., floor hockey
from 10 to 11 a.m. and basketball from 11 a.m. to noon; an
open gym from noon to 1 p.m.; basketball for ages 13 to 15
from 1 to 2 p.m.; and beginner tennis for ages 10 to 17 from
2 to 3 p.m.
Balboa Gymnasium
Activities at the Balboa gym include a racquetball class
for ages 12 to 15 from 2 to 3 p.m., basketball for ages 7 to 12
from 3 to 4 p.m. and for ages 13 to 15 from 4 to 5 p.m. and
an open gym from 5 to 9 p.m.
Gamboa Playshelter
The open gym at the Gamboa Playshelter will be held

from 11 to 11:30 a.m., followed by beginners tennis and low-
organized games from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., archery for
ages 7 to 12 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and table soccer from
1 to 2:30 p.m. A basketball program will be offered from
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, with bumper
pool at the same time Tuesday and Thursday and badminton
in the same slot on Friday. Adult activities will be held from
3:30 to 7 p.m. In addition, the playshelter weight room will
be open to patrons aged 16 and over.
Gatun Gymnasium
The schedule at Gatun gym includes basketball for ages
7 to 12 from 1 to 2 p.m. and for ages 13 to 15 from 2 to 3 p.m.;
archery for ages 7 to 12 from 3 to 4 p.m.; kickball, floor
hockey and other games from 4 to 5 p.m.; and weight-
training instruction for ages 16 and over from 5 to 6 p.m. The
gym will also offer beginners tennis from 4 to 5 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Balboa Physical Fitness Center
Table tennis, table games, billiards and bumper pool
instruction and table soccer will be offered at the Balboa
fitness center from noon to 4 p.m. weekdays, with arts and
crafts classes for ages 6 to 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday and
Thursday.
Gatun Youth Center
The majority of activities at the Gatun Youth Center are
scheduled for Tuesday through Friday, with open recreation
from noon to 8 p.m., table games from 1:45 to 3 p.m.,
billiards class s from 2 to 3 p.m., table tennis classes from
3:15 to 4:30 p.m. and table hockey classes from 5 to 6 p.m.
An additiona open recreation period will be offered from 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, as well as table games from 1 to 3
p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and arts and crafts from 2 to
3:15 p.m. Wednesday. The center also plans to offer a first
aid class and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation during
evening hours.

Canal museum seeks donations
The Interoceanic Canal Museum of Panama is seeking
artifacts, through donations or loans, for its inaugural exhibit.
For more information, contact exhibit curator Angeles Ramos
Baquero at pcmuseum@sinfo.net or at 262-0966.
Surplus sale
The Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office will
hold a sealed-bid sale on June 10 through 12 at Building 745,
Corozal. Prospective buyers may inspect and bid on the
merchandise between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the sale dates.
Racquetball tourney
The Panama Canal Commission Employee Fitness Branch
is holding registration until June 13 for a mixed-doubles
racquetball tournament at the Balboa gym.
Basketball league
A divisional basketball league for players over 18 years
of age will be offered by the Panama Canal Commission
Employee Fitness Branch at the Balboa gym, beginning July
8. Registration will run from June 6 through 21, with the first
organizational meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. June 24 at
the Balboa Fitness Center and the second at the same time
and place on July 1. To sign up, call 272-1212 or 272-2903.
SAT procedural information
Those who are planning to take level one or two of the
Scholastic Aptitude Test on Saturday, June 7, should arrive
at Balboa High School no later than 8 a.m. The tests are
scheduled to be given in Building 706, which may be entered
only through the rear gate on the southwest side. The
entrance is across from the gym. To prevent interference
with graduation ceremonies on the front lawn, officials urge
those taking the test to have someone drive them to the
school. Those who must drive should use the parking lot in
front of the Panama Canal Commission Electrical Division.
Testing will start promptly at 8:30 in classrooms in the
school's "700" area. Room assignments will be posted in
the hallway of the area. Those taking the test should bring
No. 2 pencils, an eraser, calculator, admission ticket and
photo identification. For further information, call 272-2239.

Paee 6

Take note

*The Panama Canal Commission will dis-
continue distribution of the Tropic Times.
Today's issue of the publication is the last one
that will be distributed by the agency to its
employees.

*The Panama Technical Judicial Police
(PTJ) has announced that all reports and com-
plaints about thefts, burglaries or lost items on
the Pacific side of the Canal area should now be
filed at the central PTJ office in Ancon. The
Balboa office that previously processed these
cases for Canal area residents is no longer
doing so. The Ancon office is open daily on a
24-hour basis.

,, --

Friday, June 6, 1997

The Panama Canal Spillway

SHealth corner:

Locks employees support campaign to help hemophiliac kids

By Carolina Castillo C.
Employees from the Pedro Miguel and
Miraflores locks recently contributed to a
campaign organized by the Hospital del Niiio
and the Panama Hemophilia Association to
raise funds for medical treatment for needy
children who suffer from hemophilia.
Hemophilia is a hereditary disease that
is transmitted by mothers to their male chil-
dren. Although female children do not con-
tract the disease, they can become carriers.
A child born to a carrier has a 50 percent
chance of becoming either a hemophiliac (in
the case of a male) or a carrier (in the case of
a female).
Although the decision whether to have
children is personal, educational campaigns
have helped increase an awareness of the
risks associated with hemophilia and the
arguments for not transmitting it to future
generations.
The disease is characterized by the ten-
dency to bleed easily and by the slowness
with which coagulation occurs, conditions
that are caused by the lack of a specific factor
in the plasma. Hemophilia usually mani-
fests itself during childhood through the
disposition to bleed for long periods after a
small wound or, in some cases, for no appar-
ent cause at all. Studies show that hemo-
philiac hemorrhages can be brought on by
emotional stressors such as school examina-

Charitable act
Locks Division employees present a dona-
tion to help hemophiliac kids to Roberto
Garcia, seen kneeling, and his son, Roberto.
Photo by Armando De Gracia

tions or family conflicts.
The main complications over the long
run are articular deformities and disabilities.
In previous years, transfusions have exposed
hemophiliacs to otherdiseases, such as hepa-
titis and the acquired immune deficiency
syndrome.
In the absence of a permanent cure for
hemophilia, therapy consists of treatments
to replace the factor that is missing from the
plasma. A hemophiliac child may require
three treatments weekly to prevent the de-
formities that are caused by the accumula-
tion of blood in the joints. In severe cases,
however, six vials of treatment, each costing

$100, may be required every six hours to
control bleeding on certain days, represent-
ing a daily cost of $2,400.
There are about 150 known cases of
hemophilia in Panama, about 90 percent of
which'were transmitted by mothers who did
not realize they were carriers. This typically
is the result of a "genetic silence" in which
the disease remains in a latent state for a few
generations before reappearing. In a smaller
number of cases, a mutation, rather than
heredity, causes the necessary factor to be
absent from the plasma.
Roberto Garcia, an employee of the Pedro
Miguel electrical shop, is a member of the

Panama Hemophilia Association and played
an instrumental role in encouraging his co-
workers to contribute to the fund-raising
campaign. Garcia has a particular interest in
the disease because his sons Roberto, 18,
and Enrique, 13, are both hemophiliacs.
Although Panama's social security system
covers the treatment costs for his sons, Garcia
wanted to do something to help other chil-
dren whose families do not have health cov-
erage or the necessary resources to pay for
treatment.
Garcia's elder son joined him at Pedro
Miguel Locks last week in thanking co-
workers for their donations to the campaign.

Panama National Bank sponsors Panama Canal educational exhibits

To support the Universal Congress of the
Panama Canal in September in Panama City,
the Panama National Bank has been spon-
soring a series of educational activities for
students and the general public throughout
this year to highlight the importance of the
Panama Canal. An exhibit on the Canal
opened at the bank's headquarters on Via

Espaila this week, and the waterway will be
the focus for this year's "Open Doors" pro-
gram, which features a subject of national
interest each year.
Those invited to the inauguration cer-
emony for the exhibit included Panama Presi-
dent Ernesto Perez Balladares; Vice Presi-
dent TomBs Altamirano Duque; officials
from the Panama Canal Commission, Inter-
oceanic Region Authority, other agencies
and the communications media; and other
guests. Open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through
June 24 in the bank's mezzanine, the exhibit

Courtesy call

Deputy Panama Canal Commission Admin-
istrator Joseph W. Cornelison, seated at the
head of the table, welcomes representatives
of the National Association of Retired Em-
ployees to a meeting in his office. The
delegation included the presidents of the five
NARFE chapters in Panama and, seated to
Cornelison's right, Leland L. Dupont, field
vice president for Region VI, which covers
the Republic of Panama, Arkansas, Louisi-
ana, Oklahoma and Texas. Continuing clock-
wise around the table are Robert Urquhart
of Chapter 24, Seabert Haynes of Chapter
2296, Joseph McLean of Chapter 1762 and
Cecil Williams of Chapter 38. Enrique
Richards of Chapter 1233 is not pictured.
While in Panama, Dupont promoted the
establishment of a local federal retirement
association federation and the expansion of
association membership.

features photos from the Hallen Collection
of the Canal-construction era, current pho-
tos, Commission video productions, stamps,
documents and other historical memorabilia.
In connection with the Open Doors pro-
gram this month, an entire showroom dedi-
cated to Canal history, modernization ef-
forts and preparations for the transfer to
Panamanian control will augment the bank's
permanent exhibit on Panama's financial
history.
The Commission Office of Public Af-
fairs is providing materials for both Canal-

related exhibits, as well as an orientation
specialist to give Open Doors program pre-
sentations on the waterway from 9 to 11 a.m.
and 2 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
Aimed at senior high school and univer-
sity students in Panama City, this year's
Open Doors program will run the whole
month of June at "Casa Museo," located on
34th Street and Cuba Avenue, behind the
Banco General. For additional information
on the program, call coordinator Iris Guti6rrez
(225-0640) or Cecilia Ardines or Nilsa
Jimdnez (269-1830).

Photo by Kevin Jenkins

Page 7

Administration Building visit
Children from the X- Y-Z Preschool en-
joy their first visit to the Panama Canal
Commission Administration Building in
Balboa Heights as school director Cora
Herrera, left, and parent Ileana de
Olayvar explain some of the history of
the construction of the Panama Canal
as depicted in the murals in the building's
rotunda.
Photo by Jaime Yau

The Language Training Unit will offer on-duty and off-duty English classes to Panama
Canal Commission employees at the Balboa and Gatun training centers from July 7 through
August 28. Classes will meet for two hours each session, either on Monday and Wednesday
or Tuesday and Thursday. Nominations should be submitted between June 9 and 20.

Industrial Training Branch announces craft courses

The Industrial Training Branch has scheduled the classes below to upgrade the skills of Panama Canal Commission craft personnel. All will
meet in the Apprentice School from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nominations should be submitted through program managers by the suspense dates
indicated. In addition to the listed classes, the branch plans to offer "Basic Coating Application" to Towboat Branch personnel at a date yet to be
determined. There are also several individualized training packets on a variety of technical subjects available at the Technical Multimedia Center.
Course (and target audience) Dates Suspense
Practical Hydraulics (those in trades that use hydraulics) July 2 June 11
Basic Electronics for Electricians: Part II July 7, 14 & 21 June 16
Laser Alignment July 25 July 7

Position vacancy list
Applicants must have career or career-conditional status. To apply, submit Form 443, Application for Transfer, by next Friday to the
Employment and Placement Branch, Building 366, Ancon.
Persons selected for appointment to a permanent position or a testing-designated position will be tested for illegal drug use prior to
appointment or permanent position change.
For certain positions in one-grade interval series where there is no position in the normal line of promotion, in-service employees qualify
if they possess at least one year of specialized experience at the second-lower level of the position.
For in-service actions other than promotions, modified qualifications will be used whenever an applicant's background includes closely
related experience providing the skills necessary for successful performance:
Proof that applicant meets special requirements (such as swimming ability or possession of a civil driver's license) must be filed in the
Official Personnel Foler or added to Form 443.
Salaries reflect the minimum and maximum rates of pay for the grades of the advertised positions. Those selected will be placed in
the appropriate grade and step in accordance with regulations.
Qualification standards may be reviewed at the Panama Canal Commission Technical Resources Center, Building 38, Balboa.
Further information may be obtained from the Employment and Placement Branch at 272-3583.

Temporary promotion or detail (not to exceed one year)
Civil engineer, NM-11 (Civil driver's license $17.51/$22.76 Construction
required.)
Only PCC employees will be considered.
2 Must be able to report to the Mount Hope shops within 20 minutes of call.
The Panama Canal Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

The schedule of training courses to be offered to Panama Canal Commission employees is provided below. Those marked by an asterisk will
be conducted in Spanish. In cases where "videocon" is indicated as the location, the course will be offered simultaneously on both sides of the Isthmus
via videoconference transmission. Nominations should be submitted through training program coordinators by the suspense dates indicated; training
program coordinators should submit the nominations for the "Partnership Awareness" sessions in order of priority to the Office of Industrial
Relations.
In addition to the listed courses, a number of individualized training packets are available at the Multimedia Center, among them "Introduction

Moving from WordPerfect to Word (those who have
taken a Windows course or skills assessment test, have
WordPerfect experience and have Word installed)

Moving from WordPerfect to Word: Computer-Based
Training (those who have taken a Windows course or
skills assessment test)
Word: Tables (those who have taken "Moving from
WordPerfect to Word")
Moving from SuperCalc to Excel (those who have taken
a Windows course or skills assessment test, have
SuperCalc experience and have Excel installed)
Moving from SuperCalc to Excel: Computer-Based
Training (those who have taken a Windows course or
skills assessment test)
Excel Charting (those who have taken "Excel
Worksheets")
Moving from dBase to Access (those who have taken a
Windows course or skills assessment test, have basic
database experience and have Access installed)
Introduction to Powerpoint (those who have taken a
Windows course or skills assessment test and have
Powerpoint installed)